Of the nine Lake Orion establishments licensed to sell alcohol, seven passed the Lake Orion Police Department’s (LOPD) alcohol decoy operation, August 28.
Under the direction of Lieutenant Harold Rossman and with supervision by an under-cover police officer from another department, a 20-year old ‘youthful-looking? man with a valid Michigan driver’s license acted as a decoy to purchase alcohol.
Applebee’s, the American Legion Post 233, CVS Pharmacy, Sagebrush Cantina, Valero, Valentino’s and Whiskeys all checked the decoys ID and turned him away.
‘We are pleased for those establishments that took the time to check the ID and turn away the decoy,? Narsh said. ‘We will work with the establishments that failed to ensure they take steps necessary to be in compliance with Michigan law at all times.?
Staff at CJ’s Sandbar and Sunoco both sold the man alcohol. The bartender and clerk were each issued a ticket for selling alcohol to a person under 21 and the establishment must complete a violation report for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, according to police reports.
The operation showed marked success from past ones run in the same manner. The previous decoy operation ended with 50 percent of businesses selling to a minor.
‘We look forward to a time when we have 100 percent, said Narsh. ‘It’s not hard ? just check IDs.?
He added, ‘We just want to make sure everybody is playing by the rules. We want liquor-licensed establishments to be successful but with in boundaries.?